Douglas MacArthur (26 Jan. 1880 - 5 Apr. 1964)
Although retired at the war’s beginning, MacArthur was recalled as commander of the U.S. Army Forces in the Far East in July 1941, becoming a general on 20 December of that year. When Pearl Harbour was attacked, MacArthur was ordered to begin Rainbow Five, the pre-existing war plan, however MacArthur did nothing for several hours.
When Japan attacked the Philippines, MacArthur began a defence to dampen their advance, soon ordering a complete retreat. Over the following month, MacArthur would shift his headquarters frequently as the Japanese advanced. At the beginning of 1942, MacArthur took payment from the president of the Philippines to the sum of $500,000 for pre-war service, a fact which would later tarnish his reputation.
In February, Roosevelt commanded MacArthur to retreat to Australia. For his leadership during the Philippines attack he was awarded the Medal of Honour. In April he became Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in the Southwest Pacific Area. In this role he grew close to the Australian Ptime Minister, John Curtin. He also established his own signals intelligence organisation, the Central Bureau.
The Japanese invaded Papua New Guinea in July 1942. Although Australian forces defeated the Japanese, they would soon be overwhelmed, and therefore MacArthur commanded American troops to join them. Soon the Allied forces were becoming successful, and MacArthur shifted the General Headquarters to Port Moresby in November.
The Australians continued the offensive to the west of New Guinea, and MacArthur’s strategies for the invasion of New Guinea and the Philippines soon became part of the official war plan. He was personally involved in the Admiralty Islands campaign, being awarded the Bronze Star.
In July 1944, MacArthur joined Roosevelt at a conference in Hawaii to determine the continuing war plans. MacArthur insisted that the US liberate the Philippines, and that course of action was chosen. The Allied invasion of Leyte was a difficult battle, with Japanese counterattacks almost destroying the landing forces. MacArthur waded onto the beach the afternoon of the invasion, and watched the rest from a nearby cruiser. MacArthur was promoted to General of the Army in December 1944.
MacArthur continued the invasion of the Philippines with relative success. He personally commanded the assault on Manila. He refused the use of airstrikes because of the high civilian population. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his service in Manila. From there he set about liberating the remainder of the Philippines, although without any specific orders to do so. In July, he announced the liberation of the Philippines.
In May, MacArthur began the invasion of Borneo and in April he became commander in chief of the U.S. Army Forces Pacific. On September 2 1945, MacArthur, aboard the USS Missouri, formally accepted the surrender of Japanese forces, ending World War II.
For more information on Douglas MacArthur:
Frank, Richard B. MacArthur (New York: Palgrave MacMillan), 2007.
Leary, William M. ed. We Shall Return!: MacArthur’s Commanders and the Defeat of Japan1942 – 1945 (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky), 1988.
Long, Gavin Merrick. MacArthur as Military Commander (London: Batsford), 1969.
Perret, Geoffrey. Old Soldiers Never Die: The Life of Douglas MacArthur (New York: Random House), 1996.
When Japan attacked the Philippines, MacArthur began a defence to dampen their advance, soon ordering a complete retreat. Over the following month, MacArthur would shift his headquarters frequently as the Japanese advanced. At the beginning of 1942, MacArthur took payment from the president of the Philippines to the sum of $500,000 for pre-war service, a fact which would later tarnish his reputation.
In February, Roosevelt commanded MacArthur to retreat to Australia. For his leadership during the Philippines attack he was awarded the Medal of Honour. In April he became Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in the Southwest Pacific Area. In this role he grew close to the Australian Ptime Minister, John Curtin. He also established his own signals intelligence organisation, the Central Bureau.
The Japanese invaded Papua New Guinea in July 1942. Although Australian forces defeated the Japanese, they would soon be overwhelmed, and therefore MacArthur commanded American troops to join them. Soon the Allied forces were becoming successful, and MacArthur shifted the General Headquarters to Port Moresby in November.
The Australians continued the offensive to the west of New Guinea, and MacArthur’s strategies for the invasion of New Guinea and the Philippines soon became part of the official war plan. He was personally involved in the Admiralty Islands campaign, being awarded the Bronze Star.
In July 1944, MacArthur joined Roosevelt at a conference in Hawaii to determine the continuing war plans. MacArthur insisted that the US liberate the Philippines, and that course of action was chosen. The Allied invasion of Leyte was a difficult battle, with Japanese counterattacks almost destroying the landing forces. MacArthur waded onto the beach the afternoon of the invasion, and watched the rest from a nearby cruiser. MacArthur was promoted to General of the Army in December 1944.
MacArthur continued the invasion of the Philippines with relative success. He personally commanded the assault on Manila. He refused the use of airstrikes because of the high civilian population. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his service in Manila. From there he set about liberating the remainder of the Philippines, although without any specific orders to do so. In July, he announced the liberation of the Philippines.
In May, MacArthur began the invasion of Borneo and in April he became commander in chief of the U.S. Army Forces Pacific. On September 2 1945, MacArthur, aboard the USS Missouri, formally accepted the surrender of Japanese forces, ending World War II.
For more information on Douglas MacArthur:
Frank, Richard B. MacArthur (New York: Palgrave MacMillan), 2007.
Leary, William M. ed. We Shall Return!: MacArthur’s Commanders and the Defeat of Japan1942 – 1945 (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky), 1988.
Long, Gavin Merrick. MacArthur as Military Commander (London: Batsford), 1969.
Perret, Geoffrey. Old Soldiers Never Die: The Life of Douglas MacArthur (New York: Random House), 1996.